The funny thing about this magical place we call "home" for however many weeks in the summer, is that the days feel long but yet the weeks still fly. That being said, everything we do here matters. Each word we exchange, each hug that we give, every meal that we share -- it all matters. 99% of the time I can't remember what we ate for breakfast, but you can bet that I remember who I sat across from, and what conversation we had.
This summer has absolutely been the best yet. The staff has worked extremely hard and cohesively to make the summer the best it can possibly be, but it's really the campers who bring all the fun. I have watched not only the Senecans grow this summer, but all the campers from other villages, too. I have seen as they laugh and play at athletics, and how they turn a seemingly-average canoe period into the most memorable part of their day.
I cannot put into words how lucky I feel each and every day that I get to wake up here and see the smiling faces of 270 campers. I love watching the excitement on the Cayugans' faces as Ari announces canteen, and am always amazed at how much love and affection the Senecans give each other on a daily basis.
The summer is by no means over. Yes, we are in the midst of the last week here, but the last week is just as important - if not more important - than the first week. We have done a lot, but we still have so much more left to do.
As a staff, we like to emphasize that every second of every day counts -- what you put in is directly related to what you get in return. I think that this statement is especially true this summer. Everyone has been putting 110% into everything they do, and therefore this summer has been hands down the best summer I have ever seen in my 11 years here.
While I'm sad to know that we will have to say goodbye within the week, I am so excited that we still have time to share with one another and to make an impact. The passion at Camp Seneca Lake is at an all-time high right now, and I am now, more than ever, so incredibly proud to be a part of this community.
-Jilli Underberg, S-5 counselor
